The Difference Between Onsite & Offsite Backup Services Explained
No matter how efficient a computer system or network appears to be, there is always the possibility of a malfunction or disruption. That’s why regardless of the size of your business, or what niche your product or service fits into, every company needs a backup system. When it comes to setting up a regular backup of your business network, assets and data, there are most often two main options to choose from – onsite backup and offsite backup services, meaning your data will be located away from your centralised office or workspace. Assistance in setting up this kind of service can often be obtained by IT consulting services and/or an IT support company.
Ensuring your business has a robust, reliable backup service means your data will be kept safe and secure. It also means that in the event of a mishap, disaster or disruption, you’ll be able to access your network and reinstate it with minimal downtime.
Both onsite and offsite backups have their own unique advantages. However, the option you choose will come down to the unique needs of your business.
What is an offsite backup?
An offsite backup is essentially a copy of a business’s network and data. Similar to a traditional onsite backup process, an offsite backup is not physically located within the core IT infrastructure of a business, hence the term offsite.
These days, an offsite backup is most commonly stored in the cloud using a purpose-built environment specifically designed to store networks, systems and servers such as The Data Centre at Plymouth Science Park. Often referred to as a remote backup, offsite backups are primarily utilised for data backup and disaster recovery strategies and are often implemented within a business by a professional IT support company. The core objective behind storing and maintaining data offsite is to secure data from malicious cyber attacks. Offsite backups also secure a copy of your data away from a centralised location in case your primary site is damaged or destroyed.
Benefits of an offsite backup
Advantages of an offsite backup include…
- Multiple copies of data – Offsite backups store data in a secondary server away from your premises, meaning your data can easily be retrieved from another site if your location is compromised.
- Better security – Before it is stored at a remote server, your offsite backup is encrypted meaning your business data will benefit from additional security. This also ensures that your data is protected against all potential cyber risks while in storage.
- Additional capacity – Dependent on the backup solution you choose, an offsite cloud-based backup service will often offer unlimited storage capacity, either for a flat or usage-based fee.
- No infrastructure – Perhaps one of the best advantages of an offsite backup, storing your data away from your centralised office means your business will be able to do away with the traditional infrastructure and hardware you previously needed to store your data securely. This means less upkeep which can save your business the hassle of costly maintenance bills in the long term.
What is an onsite backup?
As the name suggests, an onsite backup is the systematic backup and storage of data in a location local to a business or organisation. This type of backup is typically carried on on-premises. Local backups are useful for protecting data from cyber theft or other types of disruption. They also provide protection for disaster recovery, which is especially useful if a business relies heavily on computers and other traditional IT infrastructure.
Benefits of an onsite backup
Advantages of an onsite backup include…
- Better accessibility – An onsite backup stores and secures data within the premises of a business. This allows for quicker access to the stored data without requiring a leased line internet connection.
- Low cost – Hard drives are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased in large quantities making them ideal for use in onsite backups. This may be particularly beneficial for a small business without the budget of a larger organisation. However, it is important to consider the ongoing upkeep and maintenance costs for traditional hardware.
- Easy installation – Onsite hard drives are easy to install and manage. Using a backup software manual, even businesses with limited technical knowledge or capability can easily back up their data.
Is an onsite or offsite backup better for my business?
When it comes to making a choice between an onsite and offsite backup, it is usually a matter of preference. Some businesses will opt for an onsite backup because they prefer total control over their network, and want to monitor and keep track of their valuable data while keeping it as close as possible. Other businesses however will choose an offsite backup as a way of securing their data away from their centralised workspace, meaning in the event of a disruption or disaster there is zero risk of data loss.
In addition, some businesses opt for a hybrid approach with an onsite-offsite solution. By having both onsite and offsite backups, businesses can benefit from both heightened security and ease of accessibility. With your data stored at your centralised office and mirrored in the cloud, you can rest assured your data will not be lost in case of a disaster while also maintaining the convenience of an on-premise solution.
Backing up your data with Acronyms IT Support.
Every company requires a backup system, regardless of the size of your business or the market niche your product or service serves. Ensuring your business has a dependable backup service in place means your data will be kept safe and secure. It also ensures the accessibility and reinstatement of your network in the event of a disruption.
There are typically two main options to choose from when setting up a regular backup of your business network, assets and data – an onsite backup or a remote backup. Offsite and onsite backups both offer different advantages. As a result, the choice you make will depend on the particular requirements of your business. Assistance in choosing which backup is best for you and getting set up can be obtained through IT consulting services which are often provided by a professional IT support company.
If you’re looking to implement an onsite or offsite backup within your daily business operations, or are considering a hybrid approach, you may not know where to start. Fortunately, the team at Acronyms IT Support have been assisting large and small businesses alike with backing up their network and securing their data since 2003. Our team of technicians, engineers and consultants offer an array of bespoke digital solutions and services that can help to smoothen the backup process, cement continuity and minimise disruptions in your day.
If you have any questions about backing up your business data, contact the team at Acronyms IT Support today.